Home Information Packs

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment the Government have made of the impact of the introduction of home information packs on lower-income home-owners.

Yvette Cooper: A baseline study on the home buying and selling process is underway which includes affordability within its remit and is due to report in later October.

Home Information Packs

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library the associated electronic files and documentation that accompany the home information packs PISCES XML Schema.

Yvette Cooper: XML Schema is the intellectual property of PISCES and the government has no control over it. The XML Schema is only available on a confidential basis to the members of PISCES.

Housing Associations

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 18 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2466W, on housing associations, if she will make it her policy to collect data on the number of faith based housing associations and their capital allocation.

Yvette Cooper: At present there is no generally agreed definition of a 'faith based' housing association. I have asked the Housing Corporation to look at any data they have on Housing Associations which have policies supporting particular faith groups.

Metropolitan Green Belt

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to alter metropolitan greenbelt  (a) boundaries and  (b) status; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's policy on altering Green Belt boundaries remains as set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2 (PPG2), Green Belts. PPG2 explains that once the general extent of a Green Belt has been approved, it should be altered only in exceptional circumstances. If such an alteration is proposed, the Secretary of State will wish to be satisfied that all opportunities for development within the urban areas contained by and beyond the Green Belt have been considered. Similarly, detailed Green Belt boundaries defined in local development plan documents or earlier approved development plans, should be altered only exceptionally.
	Any proposals to alter the general extent of the Metropolitan Green Belt must be brought forward through the London Plan or, for Green Belt land outside London, the Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) for the South East and East of England.
	There are no current proposals to alter the general extent of the Metropolitan Green Belt in London or the South East Region.
	In the East of England, the Government are currently considering the report of the independent Panel which recently held an Examination In Public into a draft RSS produced by the Regional Assembly.
	The Panel recommends that the general extent of the Metropolitan Green Belt in Hertfordshire and Essex is appropriate and should be maintained. However it recommends that strategic reviews of Green Belt boundaries are needed at certain locations to ensure that development needs during the period to 2021 and thereafter are provided at the most sustainable locations. These reviews would remove only a very small proportion of the total area currently designated as Green Belt. The Panel also recommend that reviews consider the potential for compensating extensions to the Green Belt. The implication is that areas proposed to be added to the Green Belt would be larger than the sum of areas removed.
	The Government intend to publish for consultation Proposed Changes to the East of England RSS towards the end of 2006, taking account of the Panel's recommendations and earlier representations on the draft RSS.
	The detailed boundaries of any areas to be removed from the Green Belt are matters for local planning authorities as part of the preparation of local development documents.
	There are no plans to alter the status of the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Future Rapid Effects System

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment has been made of the progress of the future rapid effects system programme, with particular reference to the original forecasts of  (a) costs,  (b) in service date and  (c) effectiveness; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: FRES will deliver increased capability with higher levels of strategic deployability, survivability and lethality than our existing lighter armoured vehicles, with the potential to further enhance its capability as new technology becomes available.
	It is in its initial assessment phase and is making good progress. Strategies and detailed plans for subsequent phases are under development and this work will enable us to define system performance, programme cost and an appropriate in-service date (ISD) at the main investment decision.

Future Rapid Effects System

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the future rapid effects system will be introduced into front line military service.

Adam Ingram: The in service date for FRES will not be fixed until the main investment decision has been made.

Agency Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what average hourly rate the Prime Minister's Office paid to employment agencies for agency staff in each year since 1999, broken down by employment agency.

Patrick McFadden: For these purposes, the Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office has utilised framework agreements for the provision of temporary agency workers at administrative and secretarial levels, average hourly costs are shown in the table.
	
		
			   Adecco  Sammons  Huntress  Brook Street 
			 2001-02 12.70 12.39 — — 
			 2002-03 12.70 12.71 — — 
			 2003-04 13.08 13.17 — — 
			 2004-05 13.34 13.17 — — 
			 2005-06 13.34 13.17 15.28 12.58 
			 2006-07 12.23 — — — 
			  Note: Figures are exclusive of VAT.

Departmental Child Care Facilities

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what child care provision and assistance is available to the Prime Minister's office staff;
	(2)  whether the Prime Minister's Office has child care facilities on site.

Hilary Armstrong: For these purposes, the Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office does not have on site crèche facilities, but it has family friendly and child care policies that help employed parents balance the demands of working life with domestic responsibilities.
	The Cabinet Office, like other employers, provides vouchers towards the cost of child care and subsidises the cost of holiday play schemes.

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent by her Department on food and alcohol for its staff working out of office in each year since 2001-02.

Hilary Armstrong: The Cabinet Office does not separately record on its accounting system, expenditure on food and alcohol incurred by its staff working out of the office. This information is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.
	All Cabinet Office expenditure incurred by staff working out of the office is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

Departmental Staff

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff there are in the  (a) Strategy Unit,  (b) Delivery Unit and  (c) No. 10 Policy Unit; and how many are drawn from (i) consultancy firms and (ii) major accountancy firms in each case.

Hilary Armstrong: As at 30 June 2006, staff numbers based as full-time equivalents for the following units are shown in the table.
	
		
			Secondments or short term fixed term appointments from: 
			  Unit  Staff number as full-time equivalent  consultancy firm  accountancy firm 
			 Strategy Unit 49.91 (1)3 — 
			 Delivery Unit 60.8 (1)8 — 
			 No. 10 Policy Directorate (2)9.9 — — 
			 (1) Figure included in the units staff number as full-time equivalent figure.  (2) Includes six special advisers.

Departmental Staff (Bicycles)

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what tax efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles the Cabinet Office makes available to its employees; how many and what percentage of Cabinet Office staff purchased bicycles through such schemes in 2005-06; whether the schemes are available through a range of suppliers; and whether arrangements are made to enable staff with disabilities to purchase adapted bicycles from a specialist supplier.

Edward Miliband: The Cabinet Office does not currently make available to its staff tax efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles, although such schemes are kept under review. Instead, all permanent staff (including those on loan to the Cabinet Office) may apply for an advance to purchase a bicycle, including specially adapted bicycles for those who require them. This advance is an interest-free loan and payment is recovered from the individual's salary over a period of 12 months. Staff have access to parking, showers and changing facilities as a further incentive to cycle to work.

Social Exclusion

Julie Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made on the actions set out in the report of the Social Exclusion Unit entitled A Sure Start to Later Life published in January.

Hilary Armstrong: Significant progress has been made since the launch of the report only nine months ago. £10 million has been spent in eight areas to establish 'one stop-shops' for older people with the aim of tackling a range of issues which are linked to exclusion, for example, benefit advice, health, transportation, and/or housing. Five LinkAge Plus pilots have already been launched, in Devon, Tower Hamlets (London), Gateshead, Lancaster, Salford, and other pilots are scheduled to go live in Nottingham, Leeds, Gloucester over the next few months. In addition to this, the Department for Communities and Local Government are undertaking the actions related to housing and are currently working on a National Housing Strategy for Older People which is due to be published in the summer of 2007.

Educational Maintenance Allowance

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations he has received on the implications of the introduction of educational maintenance allowance for recruitment and outcomes for entry to employment learners.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department has received representations from one national provider, one local provider group and the Association of Learning Providers (ALP). The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has operational responsibility for the extension of EMA to learners on Entry to Employment (E2E). The LSC has worked closely with the ALP and providers and a good deal of progress has been made. For example, the LSC has produced good practice guidance to assist providers in delivering EMA and they have recently funded a Professional to work directly with providers on how to maximise the benefits of EMA having been extended to E2E.

Special Educational Needs

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many statements of special educational needs have been issued in England in each of the last five years.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Children for whom a statement of SEN was made for the first time ( 1)  each calendar year, England 
			   Number 
			 2001 32,470 
			 2002 30,720 
			 2003 28,780 
			 2004 25,990 
			 2005 24,040 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: SEN2 Survey

Special Educational Needs

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of mainstream school pupils have a statement of educational needs in  (a) Gravesham and  (b) Kent.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Mainstream schools: Number and percentage of pupils with statements of SEN( 1 ) January 2006 
			   Gravesham parliamentary constituency  Kent local authority 
			Pupils with statements of SEN   Pupils with statements of SEN 
			   Total pupils  Number  Percentage  Total pupils  Number  Percentage 
			 Maintained nursery 76 0 0.0 76 0 0.0 
			 Maintained primary(2) 8,707 88 1.0 110,190 1,364 1.2 
			 Maintained secondary(2) 8,068 148 1.8 98,948 2,136 2.2 
			 Total mainstream 16,851 236 1.4 209,214 3,500 1.7 
			 (1) Excludes dually registered pupils.(2) Includes middle schools as deemed. Source: Schools' Census

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 2 August from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. K Starkie.

Barry Gardiner: A response was sent to my right hon. Friend on 12 September. I apologise the delay in responding and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be resent.

Game Birds

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1299W, on gamebirds, 
	(1)  what the definition used by his Department for each production type listed is;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the reason for the difference between the number of  (a) pheasants and  (b) partridges (i) reared for shooting and (ii) released for shooting.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has not produced a formal definition for each production type listed. In principle, it is for the poultry keeper to identify the production type applicable to the birds on their premises.
	However, in the case of those production types applicable to shooting, the ordinary meaning of the terms used may be taken as follows:
	1. Breeding for shooting—production system where cock and hen birds are accommodated in captivity, generally either in groups (pheasants) or in pairs (partridges), for the purpose of egg production.
	2. Rearing for shooting—production system where chicks are reared in captivity, either indoor in permanent buildings or in outdoor enclosed pens. The birds may be sold on to a number of other premises for releasing for shooting, or gamekeepers may rear their own birds and release them for shooting on the same premises.
	3. Releasing for shooting—system where birds are held in large pens for a period of acclimatisation ranging from a few days to a few weeks before release.
	For all production types, the poultry keeper is required to state when the premises is usually stocked during the year and is instructed not to include any bird in more than one category.
	There are a number of factors involved in the difference between the number of birds identified as being reared for shooting and the number released for shooting. It is estimated that approximately 50 per cent. of birds are reared on recognised game farms and subsequently sold on to a number of shoots. These game farm premises would fall into definition (2) above. The remaining birds are either reared and released by gamekeepers on their own premises, so falling into definition (2) above, or purchased and brought onto the shoot premises for a short captive period of acclimatisation prior to release for shooting, so falling into definition (3). There may be premises practising a combination of the above, for example, rearing a certain number of birds and also purchasing birds for release.
	Despite an instruction not to include any bird in more than one category for the purposes of the Great Britain Poultry Register, a number of keepers 'double-counted' by including the same birds in more than one production type. This error has now been rectified.
	Another form of double-counting has occurred where the same birds have been registered by the game farm at rearing, and by the shoot following purchase. This has produced an overestimate in total bird numbers.

Game Birds

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many establishments are registered for the annual release of  (a) 10,000,  (b) 25,000,  (c) 50,000,  (d) 75,000 and  (e) 100,000 partridges;
	(2)  how many establishments are registered for the annual rearing of  (a) 10,000,  (b) 25,000,  (c) 50,000,  (d) 100,000,  (e) 150,000 and  (f) 200,000 partridges;
	(3)  T how many establishments are registered for the annual release of  (a) 10,000,  (b) 20,000,  (c) 30,000,  (d) 40,000 and  (e) 50,000 pheasants;
	(4)  how many establishments are registered for the annual rearing of  (a) 50,000,  (b) 100,000,  (c) 200,000,  (d) 300,000,  (e) 400,000 and  (f) 500,000 pheasants.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested, taken from the Great Britain Poultry Register on 2 October 2006, is set out in the following tables:
	
		
			  Production type: releasing (for shooting) partridges 
			  Number of birds  Number of premises 
			 1 to 10,000 2,779 
			 10,001 to 25,000 59 
			 25,001+ 13 
		
	
	
		
			  Production type: rearing (for shooting) partridges 
			  Number of birds  Number of premises 
			 1 to 10,000 1,344 
			 10,001 to 25,000 97 
			 25,001 to 50,000 37 
			 50,001+ 22 
		
	
	
		
			  Production type: releasing (for shooting) pheasants 
			  Number of birds  Number of premises 
			 1 to 10,000 6,542 
			 10,001 to 20,000 148 
			 20,001 to 30,000 42 
			 30,001 to 40,000 16 
			 40,001+ 21 
		
	
	
		
			  Production type: rearing (for shooting) pheasants 
			  Number of birds  Number of premises 
			 1 to 50,000 2,717 
			 50,001 to 100,000 48 
			 100,001+ 20 
		
	
	All data are subject to change. Some of the ranges for number of birds have been amended to prevent the disclosure of information about individual holdings.

Slaughterhouses

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost has been of contracting meat hygiene inspectors to work with the meat hygiene service to supervise brain stem sampling and spinal column removal before the sale of over thirty month meat in each year since 2001.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA is not invoiced by the meat hygiene service (MHS) on the basis of a specific grade of staff (for example, meat hygiene inspectors), but for the total MHS service provision. With the exception of very small numbers of cattle aged 30- 42 months produced under the Beef Assurance scheme, cattle aged over 30 months were excluded from the food chain until 7 November 2005 when the over thirty months (OTM) rule was replaced by a robust system of bovine spongiform encephalopathy testing for OTM cattle born or reared in the UK after 31 July 1996. Some costs were incurred and MHS staff were recruited before the OTM rule was changed. Total MHS costs relating to the rule change to date are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Cost (£ million) 
			 2004-05 1.5 
			 2005-06 4.9 
			 2006-07 (to 31 August) 5.1 
		
	
	Estimated MHS costs for the supervision of brain stem sampling for cattle purchased for destruction under the Over Thirty Months scheme, which was replaced on 23 January 2006 for cattle born or reared in the UK before 1 August 1996 by the Older Cattle Disposal scheme, are set out in the following table. Under EU legislation, the UK has tested an increasing proportion of cattle slaughtered under these schemes.
	
		
			   Cost (£) 
			 2001-02 387,000 
			 2002-03 528,000 
			 2004-05 655,000 
			 2005-06 652,000

Slaughterhouses

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meat hygiene inspectors have been contracted by his Department to work for the Meat Hygiene Service to supervise brain stem sampling spinal column removal before the sale of over thirty month bovine meat.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA is invoiced by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) on the basis of time recorded under a series of activity codes. The MHS do not record time worked on just supervision of brain stem sampling and vertebral column removal. However, as at 31 August 2006, the total meat hygiene inspector time input into the full range of controls in approved over-30-months slaughterhouses relating to the testing of cattle for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and the removal of vertebral column, is equivalent to 83 full-time posts.

Timber

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that contract conditions for Government procurement of timber adequately cover plywood used in Government refurbishment contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The UK's Timber Procurement Policy (TPP) contains a model contract clause that clearly states that all timber, including that which is used for temporary site works, is covered under the contract conditions:
	'The standard contract condition at Annex A requires contractors to ensure that any timber or timber products supplied to the Government, whether as solid wood (e.g. planks, plywood) or as part of a product (paper, furniture, printed materials), were derived from legally harvested trees.'
	This then goes on to state:
	'The condition applies to all virgin timber and wood derived products used by contractors to perform contracts on Government premises, including temporary site works, and material supplied by subcontractors.'
	The document can be viewed in full at: http://www.proforest.net/cpet/uk-government-timber-procurement-policy/timber-guidance
	The Government are not content to rely only on its model contract conditions to obtain timber from legal and sustainable sources. Further measures to strengthen the Government's commitment to the prevention of illegal logging, working with our EU colleagues, and to the improvement of forest management are being developed. The Government will be writing to the Environmental Audit Committee about these measures in due course.

Colombia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information her Department collects on the operation of UK-based private security companies  (a) abroad and  (b) in Colombia.

Margaret Beckett: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not actively collect information on the operation of UK-based private security companies either in Colombia or elsewhere abroad. Contacts that private military and security companies (PMSCs) make with FCO officials are recorded in line with the guidance on contacts with PMSCs referred to in the Written Ministerial Statement to the House by my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr Jack Straw), of 12 July 2004 ( Official Report, columns 53-54WS).

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by her Department on food and alcohol for its staff working out of office in each year since 2001-02.

Geoff Hoon: The specific information you have requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting, and staff are not permitted to include the cost of alcoholic drinks in claims for subsistence while working out of office.

Departmental Gender Strategy

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the implementation of the Department's gender strategy.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) gender strategy is set out in our response to the Cabinet Office's 10 Point Plan on diversity, which was agreed by the Permanent Secretary in January 2006. I will arrange for officials to place a copy of the FCO response in the Library of the House and to also send a copy to my hon. Friend. The plan focuses on improving the diversity of our work force in senior and middle management. The percentage of women in the Senior Management Structure (SMS) in April 2005 was 14.9 per cent. (69 officers). This percentage has been rising steadily but is still very low. This reflects historical practices and having started from a very low base. The 2008 target of 25 per cent. would represent an additional 26 officers out of a reduced SMS of 382 in 2008. This is an ambitious and stretching target but one the FCO is committed to meeting.

Dr. Amir al-Saadi

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information she has received regarding the whereabouts of Dr. Amir al-Saadi; and when and where definitive sightings of him reported to her were.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not have information about Dr. Amir al-Saadi's whereabouts.

East Africa

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of Sheikh Mukhtar Robow's recent statement regarding incursions into Somalian territory by Ethiopian military vehicles; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	I am aware of statements by members of the Union of Islamic Courts that they would attack any foreign forces inside Somalia. The UK fully supports the UN Security Council's Presidential Statement of 13 July (S/PRST/2006/31) which requested all parties inside and outside Somalia to refrain from action that could provoke violence.The full text of the Presidential Statement is available on the UN website at: http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_pres_statements06.htm. We also stand by the International Contact Group on Somalia's statement of 17 July, which requested all parties to comply with the ceasefire agreed on 22 June and to engage in constructive and broad based consultations to resolve their differences peacefully. We continue to urge restraint on all parties. There can be no military solution to Somalia's problems.

East Africa

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of Ethiopia on the withdrawal of their troops from Somalia.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	My noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State; for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, discussed Somalia with Prime Minister Meles on two occasions during August. Officials have also raised Somalia in contacts with the Government of Ethiopia. They emphasised the UK's support for the UN Security Council's Presidential Statement of 13 July (S/PRST/2006/31), which requested all parties inside and outside Somalia to refrain from action that could provoke violence and our support for the International Contact Group on Somalia's statement of 17 July, which emphasised the need for all countries to comply with the UN arms embargo on Somalia. The full text of the UN Presidential Statement is available on the UN website at: http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_pres_statements06.htm.

Iraq

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1989W, on Iraq, whether the eligibility criteria for the second Iraq medal have been decided; and when the medal will be instituted.

Margaret Beckett: pursuant to the reply, 28 June 2006, Official Report, c. 437W
	The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals has now considered the eligibility criteria, together with other details of the Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal. Their recommendations will be submitted for Her Majesty the Queen's consideration before production of the medal. We hope to institute the medal as early as possible next year.

Lebanon

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when members of her Department or officials overseas last had contact with members of Hezbollah in Lebanon; with whom such contact took place; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: In December 2001 our embassy in Beirut initiated contacts with Hezbollah. The last such contact with Hezbollah was in February 2005 with a mid level official. In discussions with Hezbollah, British officials made clear the Government's opposition to terrorism and the importance of Hezbollah ending attacks on Israel and reducing tension along the Blue Line.

Lebanon

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the number of civilians displaced by the recent fighting in Lebanon; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: The UN estimates 900,000 people were displaced by the conflict both inside Lebanon and in neighbouring countries. Approximately 200,000 remain displaced.
	The UN has declared the immediate humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon to be over. Following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 on 11 August,
	one of our immediate priorities has been to begin reconstruction and address the humanitarian needs of those returning home. Food and other essentials are now available, but life in Lebanon remains difficult for many. The UK will contribute a total of over £40 million to Lebanon, including £22.3 million for humanitarian assistance and early recovery projects. UK funding has so far helped to provide healthcare, food, water and sanitation. We have committed over £1.5 million to clear spent and unexploded munitions. The Department for International Development has flown and shipped material for six prefabricated bridges to help improve access for humanitarian convoys. One has been erected and plans for the remainder are under discussion with the Government of Lebanon.

Mirza Tahir Hussain

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the British ambassador to Pakistan has made to the Government of that country on the death sentence issued against Mirza Tahir Hussain; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government are very concerned at Mr. Hussain's plight and has made a number of representations to the Pakistani Government on his behalf, at both ministerial and senior official level.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised Mr. Hussain's case during his most recent meeting with President Musharraf on 28 September. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also raised the issue personally with the Pakistani Foreign Minister in New York on 19 September. Our high commissioner in Islamabad and his staff continue to work intensively on this case and to raise it with their senior contacts at every level. Our consular staff continue to visit Mr. Hussain weekly.

Somalia

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the new administration in Mogadishu on the stability in the  (a) country and  (b) region; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	It is too soon to assess whether the Union of Islamic Courts will contribute to the long term stability of Somalia or the region. We continue to support the Transitional Federal Institutions, which represent the internationally recognised process for restoring peace, stability and good governance to Somalia. We welcome the fact that the Union of Islamic Courts and the Transitional Federal Institutions have engaged in dialogue in Khartoum under the auspices of the League of Arab States. We urge both sides to honour the commitments they have given in Khartoum and to continue the search for a workable agreement between them. Stability will only be attainable through a political solution to Somalia's governance.

Visa Arrangements

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice her Department provides to holders of British subject passports upon issue of passports on visa requirements that may apply to them .

Kim Howells: Passports issued to British Subjects contain the following note on immigration and visa requirements:
	"The possession of a passport does not exempt the holder from compliance with any immigration regulations in force in any territory or from the necessity of obtaining a visa or permit where required. It should be noted in this connection that the majority of British territories overseas have immigration restrictions applicable to British nationals as well as aliens".
	Visa requirements imposed by foreign countries are a matter for that country and we cannot advise on whether a British passport holder would need a visa for travel to a particular country. We can only advise British passport holders to contact the nearest
	representation of the country that they plan to visit.

Visa Arrangements

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance her Department has given to travel operators on provision of advice to travellers on visa arrangements for overseas (a) British citizens and (ii) British subjects.

Kim Howells: Tour operators are advised to refer to the respective country travel advice for advice to travellers on visa arrangements. Where possible, our travel advice notices make specific reference to different forms of visa requirements, especially where this is dependent on status, but this varies from country to country.
	When there is no information, or if it is in doubt, we provide the contact details for the relevant country's representation in the UK. We also make specific mention of visa requirements in the "Know Before You Go" pages on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website. In it we say
	"If you are a British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Subject, British National Overseas, or a British Protected Person, you may need a visa that is not required by British Citizens".
	Further details can be found on the FCO website at: http://www.fco. go\\uk/servlet/Front/TextOnly?pagenamc+=OpenMarket/Xcclerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1098377476175&to=true.

Alcohol-related Disease

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated by  (a) Kingston NHS Primary Care Trust,  (b) Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust and  (c) Wandsworth Primary Care Trust to fund programmes or services to help treat and prevent alcohol misuse in each year since 2000.

Caroline Flint: This information is not held centrally.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs), with their specific local knowledge and expertise, are responsible for the commissioning of all health services and to reflect this responsibility, funding is allocated to PCTs.
	The amount spent on alcohol treatment is not separately identified within each PCTs mainstream budget and we are not in a position to monitor exactly how this money is spent.
	It is for strategic health authorities and PCTs to manage, and continue to use, the funding available to them to commission services for the populations they serve within the limits of their overall resources.

Block Contracts

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what block contracts for 2006-07 have been agreed between NHS trusts and foundation trusts and primary care trusts for ordinary elective procedures; what assessment has been made of the implications of block contracts for the implementation of payment by results; and what support and guidance she will provide to strategic health authorities in relation to block contracts.

Andy Burnham: Payment by results is a national policy, and there is a mandatory tariff, which applies across the whole of the national health service. 'The NHS in England: The operating framework for 2006-07', published in January 2006, set out the ability for strategic health authorities to agree specific local additional rules for a fixed period of time under special circumstances. Discussions on where these might be are ongoing within the NHS but information on these is not collected centrally.
	On 13 July 2006, Health Reform in England: update and commissioning framework was published. Within this document is a consultation to inform the further development of a national model contract which will be used to procure services from NHS trusts, foundation trusts, independent and third sector providers.

Cancer Care

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions are made in Milton Keynes for long-term cancer patients.

Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local national health service trusts and primary care providers, to deliver high quality NHS services including services for long-term cancer patients in Milton Keynes.

Clostridium Difficile

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the change in the number of cases of clostridium difficile over the last seven years; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Health Protection Agency receives reports from microbiology laboratories of cases in all age groups through voluntary surveillance.
	Data for England and Wales from 1999 to 2005 is shown in the table. It is not clear how much of the increase in the number of reports is due to improved reporting of cases, an increase in ascertainment, or an actual rise in "Clostridium difficile" disease incidence. It was to help establish a baseline that we introduced mandatory surveillance in 2004.
	
		
			  Voluntary laboratory reports of clostridium difficile  England and Wales 1999 to 2005 
			   England  Wales 
			 1999 17,279 1,438 
			 2000 18,812 1,744 
			 2001 20,064 1,599 
			 2002 26,357 1,710 
			 2003 33,201 1,587 
			 2004 40,401 2,114 
			 2005(1) 46,501 1,939 
			 (1 )Provisional totals.   Source: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/clostridium_difficile/c_diff_reports_isolated_faecal_specimens_england.W.

Clostridium Difficile

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of clostridium difficile have been reported at Oldchurch Hospital in each of the last seven years.

Andy Burnham: This information is not available. However, since January 2004, acute national health service trusts in England have been required to report all cases of clostridium difficile associated disease in people aged over 65 years under the mandatory surveillance scheme. This is operated by the Health Protection Agency on behalf of the Department.
	Oldchurch hospital provides services for Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust.
	The total numbers of cases of clostridium difficile associated disease in patients aged 65 years and over reported by the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust were 648 in 2004, and 927 in 2005.

Complaints against Doctors

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many formal complaints were recorded against doctors in each year since 1999.

Andy Burnham: The table gives numbers of complaints made between April 1999 and the end of March 2005, which is the latest available audited data. There is one table for hospital and community health service complaints with details of complaints by profession. Family health service complaints are not broken down by profession.
	The source of this data reflects complaints made through the NHS complaints procedure and does not include complaints made to the General Medical Council (GMC) or to other professional bodies, such as the General Dental Council or the National Midwifery Council.
	
		
			  Written complaints about hospital and community services by profession 
			  England 
			   1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Number of written complaints by profession 86,536 95,734 93,020 91,023 90,156 90,066 
			
			 Medical (including surgical) 38,261 43,892 42,994 40,819 40,094 40,762 
			 Dental (including surgical) 711 726 723 893 853 762 
			 Professions supplementary to medicine 4,546 4,969 5,248 5,015 4,833 4,514 
			 Nursing, midwifery and health visiting 17,966 18,892 17,908 18,062 19,379 19,308 
			 Scientific, technical and professional 1,258 1,502 1,544 1,609 1,612 1,670 
			 Ambulance crews (including paramedics) 3,212 3,243 3,063 2,658 2,548 2,201 
			 Maintenance and ancillary staff 1,923 2,295 1,910 2,078 1,678 1,925 
			 PCT administrative staff/members (exc FHS admin) 880 1,081 1,015 822 1,086 1,196 
			 Trust administrative staff/members 7,729 8,925 8,319 8,668 7,778 7,619 
			 Other 10,050 10,209 10,296 10,399 10,295 10,108 
			  Notes:1. Number of complaints may differ to the figures shown in other tables as one complaint can cover more than one professional area.2. The rows marked 'medical (including surgical)' and 'dental (including surgical)1 do not represent complaints concerning doctors in their entirety, as there will be complaints that are not about a single profession (for example where a complainant is unhappy with their treatment by a doctor and a nurse).3. Data as at 1 April to 31 March. Source:The Information Centre for health and social care KO41a dataset

Hospital Infection Data

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons Barts and The London NHS Trust and Newham Healthcare NHS Trust were missing data for one quarter of 2005 in their mandatory statistical collections of clostridium difficile associated disease.

Andy Burnham: The Barts and the London NHS Trust and Newham Healthcare Trust did not provide information because the laboratory information system used in early 2005 could not identify clostridium difficile results. The problem was resolved with the introduction of a new pathology laboratory information system in early 2005.

MRSA

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment she has made of a possible link between MRSA rates in a given Trust and its percentage bed occupancy.

Andy Burnham: The Department is working on an internal desk analysis of hospital organisation specialty mix and meticillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This indicates a statistical correlation, but bed occupancy is only one of the factors that influences infection rates. The Department acknowledges the importance of assessing the impact of initiatives on the incidence of MRSA and hopes to publish the report shortly.

NHS Complaints

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints were made against the NHS between 1998 and 2005.

Andy Burnham: The table gives numbers of complaints made between April 1998 and the end of March 2005, which is the latest available audited data. There is one entry for hospital and community health service complaints and one entry for family health service complaints.
	The source of this data reflects complaints made through the national health service complaints procedure and does not include complaints made to the General Medical Council or other professional bodies.
	
		
			  Written complaints about NHS hospital and community services and family health services 
			  England 
			   Hospital and community services (HCHS)  Family health services (FHS)  Total number of written complaints HCHS and FHS 
			 1998-99 86,013 — — 
			 1999-2000 86,536 — — 
			 2000-01 95,734 — — 
			 2001-02 93,020 — — 
			 2002-03 91,023 42,844 133,867 
			 2003-04 90,122 43,347 133,469 
			 2004-05 90,413 43,407 133,820 
			  Note:Data as at 1 April to 31 March. Source:The Information Centre for health and social care KO41a dataset.

Physiotherapists

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many new jobs have been created in physiotherapy in Lancashire in each year since 1995;
	(2)  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many physiotherapy graduates on average have worked in the NHS in Lancashire in each year since 1995.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the format requested. The number of physiotherapists working in the former Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area between 1995 and 2005 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: qualified physiotherapy staff in Cumbria and Lancashire SHA area as at 30 September each specified year 
			   Headcount 
			 1995 513 
			 1996 539 
			 1997 559 
			 1998 565 
			 1999 582 
			 2000 586 
			 2001 633 
			 2002 643 
			 2003 700 
			 2004 766 
			 2005 764 
			  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care non-medical workforce census

Sexual Health

Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations her Department has received from genito-urinary medicine clinics on levels of funding provided for the development of sexual health services.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 11 September 2006
	We have a number of representations about funding provided for the development of sexual health services in genito-urinary (GUM) clinics.
	It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations. PCTs and strategic health authorities (SHAs) received funding for implementing the targets in the White Paper "Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier" in their mainstream allocations and we will be monitoring the outcomes through the local delivery plan data lines from this investment. The revenue allocations separately identify funding to support the implementation of Choosing Health. A copy of the White paper is available in the Library.
	Sexual health is one of the top six priorities for the national health service in 2006-07. In particular, by 2008 everyone should be offered an appointment within 48 hours of contacting a GUM clinic. SHAs have submitted plans to meet this target. This increased priority for sexual health should significantly strengthen the incentive for local investment and service modernisation.

Travel to Hospitals

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial help is available to those who wish to travel a long distance to visit relatives in hospitals; and what steps she is taking to publicise this financial help amongst patients.

Andy Burnham: Help with costs to visit someone who is ill may be available in the form of community care grant from the social fund. In order to qualify, the applicant must be in receipt of Income Support, income based jobseekers allowance or pension credit. The community care grant scheme is cash limited and applications are prioritised to ensure the funding available supports those in the most need.
	The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the community care grant. Information about the grant is available from Jobcentre Plus. Patients may also receive this information from pension centres if they are a pensioner, or from the national health service through patient advice and liaison services. These services are based in NHS trusts and aim to provide confidential advice and support to patients, families and their carers with information on the NHS or health-related matters. They can also signpost to further sources of information.

Kent Police (Cautions)

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of cautions issued by Kent county constabulary in each of the past five years were for  (a) first offences,  (b) second offences and  (c) third or subsequent offences.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for the number of people convicted of fraud in  (a) Brent and  (b) London in each year since 1997 can be found in the following table.
	Data for 2005 will be available in November.
	
		
			  Number of defendants convicted at all courts, for offences relating to fraud in Brent, 1997 to 2004( 1,2) 
			  Offence class  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Frauds by company directors, etc(3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 False accounting(4) 11 24 23 13 5 4 7 5 
			 Other fraud(5) 57 74 135 100 112 118 104 133 
			 Total 68 98 158 113 117 122 111 138 
			 (1.)These data are provided on the principal offence basis  (2.)Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (3.)Includes the following: False statements by company directors, etc, Other fraud by a company director, and giving false information for Confidentiality Order, or providing confidential information in breach of the regulations under S.723C  (4.)Includes the following: False accounting, failing to keep proper accounting records, authorising failure to keep proper accounting of records, permitting failure to keep proper accounts, failing to keep proper accounts, failing to secure preservation of accounting records, and, failing to keep accounting records open to inspection.  (5.)Includes the following: Obtaining property by deception, Obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception, Conspiracy to defraud. Purporting to act as a spiritualistic medium for reward, Taking marks from HM property in any store, Fraudulent issue of money order by Post Office servant. Fraudulently retaining, secreting, etc. postal packet or mail bag, Fraudulently printing, mutilating or re-issuing stamp. Frauds by farmers in connection with agricultural charge, Cheating at play, etc. Dishonestly destroying, defacing or concealing a document. Dishonestly procuring execution of a document. Railway frauds, Frauds in connection with sale of land, etc.(triable only on indictment). Frauds in connection with sale of land, etc.(triable-either-way). Obtaining services by deception (except railway frauds). Evasion of liability by deception (except railway frauds). Making off without payment. Assisting another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct. Acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct. Concealing or transferring proceeds of criminal conduct.Disclosure of information likely to prejudice an investigation. Insider dealing. Obtaining a money transfer by deception. Dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit. Dishonest representation for obtaining benefit etc. Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences. Unauthorised modification of computer material. Knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of contributions. Cartel offences. Corrupt transactions with agents. Other fraud.  Source: RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform Our Ref: PQ 222-06 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of defendants convicted at all courts, for offences relating to fraud in London, 1997 to 2004( 1,2) 
			  Offence class  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Frauds by company directors, etc(3) 5 1200 605 305 30 0 0 0 
			 False accounting(4) 345 428 412 316 179 186 186 209 
			 Other fraud(5) 2,282 2,452 2,417 2,506 2,386 2,577 2,532 2,459 
			 Total 2,632 2,892 2,829 2,828 2,570 2,766 2,723 2,671 
			 (1.)These data are provided on the principal offence basis  (2.)Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (3.)Includes the following: False statements by company directors, etc, Other fraud by a company director, and giving false information for Confidentiality Order, or providing confidential information in breach of the regulations under S.723C  (4.)Includes the following: False accounting, failing to keep proper accounting records, authorising failure to keep proper accounting of records, permitting failure to keep proper accounts, failing to keep proper accounts, failing to secure preservation of accounting records, and, failing to keep accounting records open to inspection.  (5.)Includes the following: Obtaining property by deception, Obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception, Conspiracy to defraud. Purporting to act as a spiritualistic medium for reward, Taking marks from HM property in any store, Fraudulent issue of money order by Post Office servant. Fraudulently retaining, secreting, etc. postal packet or mail bag, Fraudulently printing, mutilating or re-issuing stamp. Frauds by farmers in connection with agricultural charge, Cheating at play, etc. Dishonestly destroying, defacing or concealing a document. Dishonestly procuring execution of a document. Railway frauds, Frauds in connection with sale of land, etc.(triable only on indictment). Frauds in connection with sale of land, etc.(triable-either-way). Obtaining services by deception (except railway frauds). Evasion of liability by deception (except railway frauds). Making off without payment. Assisting another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct. Acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct. Concealing or transferring proceeds of criminal conduct.Disclosure of information likely to prejudice an investigation. Insider dealing. Obtaining a money transfer by deception. Dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit. Dishonest representation for obtaining benefit etc. Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences. Unauthorised modification of computer material. Knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of contributions. Cartel offences. Corrupt transactions with agents. Other fraud.   Source: RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform Our Ref: PQ 222-06

Police Records

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what exceptional circumstances a person's request to have their  (a) DNA,  (b) fingerprint and  (c) police national computer records deleted would be granted; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: The Association of Chief Police Officers issued guidance to chief officers on the consideration of applications for the deletion of DNA samples, fingerprints and a record on the police national computer earlier this year. The then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Andy Burnham, made a written ministerial statement on the guidance on 16 February 2006,  Official Report, column 117WS and placed copies in the Library.
	Each request for the deletion of DNA and fingerprint records is considered on its individual merits. However, exceptional circumstances which might merit deletion of these records would include situations where the arrest was unlawful or the DNA and fingerprints had been taken unlawfully or where it was later found that no crime had been committed. In the majority of cases once a request for the deletion of the DNA and fingerprint records has been granted the police national computer record would also be deleted.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his assessment is of the feasibility of implementing alternative livelihood programmes in Helmand.

Hilary Benn: Effective implementation of alternative livelihoods programmes in Helmand is dependent on a secure operating environment for partners implementing those programmes. Many of those prospective partners are currently networking in Helmand, due to the perceived risks to their staff. Through its deployment of troops to the province, as part of the NATO engagement in Afghanistan, the UK is looking to create the secure environment which is needed to allow development to happen.
	DFID is though, through its £30 million Helmand Agriculture and Rural Development Programme, supporting the Government of Afghanistan to roll out its National Priority Programmes in Helmand province; for example, providing clean water and sanitation, and small loans. We believe that doing this through the Government of Afghanistan provides a more sustainable solution and may help mitigate some of the security risks. We have also seen some impact in Helmand from the work undertaken through the Research into Alternative Livelihoods Fund programme, particularly in terms of speciality crops and potential export of those to European markets.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's spending on reproductive health commodities was in 2005-06.

Gareth Thomas: Reproductive health commodity supplies are normally provided as an integral part of broader programmes to promote sexual and reproductive health and prevent HIV. DFID's data-capture systems do not, therefore, allow us specifically to isolate expenditure on them.
	However, DFID supports a number of projects which combine reproductive health commodity procurement and distribution whilst encouraging behaviour change and capacity-building. Some current examples include;
	£0.5 million for adolescents to access reproductive health services in Nicaragua;
	£3.93 million for condoms and hormonal contraceptives in Ethiopia;
	£0.462 million for a social marketing programme to maintain family planning services in DRC;
	£1.8 million for maintaining access to family planning services for women with HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe.
	DFID is one of the leading bilateral providers of condoms and other reproductive health commodities to developing countries. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that some 1 billion condoms supplied by donors were used in developing countries in 2001. Nearly half of these were provided by the UK. For the past 10 years DFID has been the fourth largest provider of condoms, supporting the distribution of about 150 million of them annually. DFID supports the work of UNFPA and The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), as well as other organisations working to promote reproductive health and family planning, including HIV prevention services. We are currently providing £80 million to UNFPA over four years, and £19.5 million to IPPF between 2004 and 2006.

Independent Monitoring Commission

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to receive a report from the Independent Monitoring Commission.

Peter Hain: I have just received a report which demonstrates conclusively that the IRA has delivered its commitment in July 2005 to end its war and re-direct it's activity to democratic and peaceful ends.

Fireworks

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many serious injuries were caused due to fireworks in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of serious injuries that were caused due to fireworks in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years is not available. However, information on the number of people injured as a result of fireworks over the Halloween period, in Northern Ireland, for the years 2001 to 2005 is available and is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of patients reporting with firework injuries 
			 2005 86 
			 2004 55 
			 2003 45 
			 2002 38 
			 2001 136 
			  Source:Annual Departmental Return, FWK1

Parliamentary Questions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 25 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1414W, on parliamentary questions, which questions tabled by the hon. Member for Upper Bann were answered on the basis of drafts prepared by the British Irish Inter-Governmental Secretariat.

Peter Hain: At the time of my previous answer 25 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1414W, three parliamentary questions tabled by the hon. Gentleman had been referred to Northern Ireland Office staff in the British Irish Inter-Governmental Secretariat for draft reply.
	They were as follows:
	 Order Book: 9 March 2006
	To ask the Secretary of State fir Northern Ireland, what discussions he had with (a) the Government of the Republic of Ireland and (b) the Republic of Ireland police force on the Northern Ireland victims' march in Dublin on 25 February. 57624
	 Order Book: 8 May 2006
	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 18 April 2006, Official Report, column 508W, on the victims' march (Dublin), whether he has had any discussions with Republic of Ireland authorities on the attacks upon citizens of Northern Ireland while in Dublin
	 Order Book: 14 July 2006
	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2006, Official Report, column 1187W, on the victims' march (Dublin), what assurances he sought from ministers of the Irish Republic (a) about the safety of Northern Ireland citizens while in Dublin in the future and (b) regarding the prosecution of people identified as being involved in the attacks upon citizens of Northern Ireland in Dublin on 25 February 2006. 84760

Entertainment Costs

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost from public funds of social functions held in 10 Downing Street since May 1997; how many bottles of wine have been consumed; and how many such functions have taken place.

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister which official events have been held in 2006 at 10 Downing Street to which  (a) hon. Members and  (b) officials were invited where the total numbers present exceeded 25.

Tony Blair: For information on official and charity receptions I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 17 March 2006,  Official Report, column 2581W and to the answer given by my noble Friend Lord Bassam of Brighton to the noble Lord Hanningfield on 21 July 2005,  Official Report, column WA261. I also refer the hon. Members to the written ministerial statement I made on 2 February 2005,  Official Report, columns 57-61WS.
	I have placed a list of official and charity receptions held at 10 Downing street between February 2002 and December 2004 in the Library of the House.
	For 2005-06, the total cost of official and charity receptions held by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing street and Chequers was £101,178.
	Information on official and charity receptions held at 10 Downing street during 2006-07 will be published by means of an annual list as soon as it is ready at the end of the financial year.
	These events consist of official dinners and events for foreign leaders and other dignitaries, receptions for business leaders, community and charity representatives and sportsmen and women. In the past few years, an increased programme of events at Downing street has been introduced in order to give access to as many people as possible, including children's tea parties and regular receptions for a wide cross-section of the community.

Nuclear Security

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will instruct the Director for Civil Nuclear Security to evaluate the adequacy of security protection plans for trains carrying irradiated spent nuclear fuel while in sidings awaiting forward movement to Sellafield.

Malcolm Wicks: Government recognise the particular security concerns that the transportation of spent nuclear fuel give rise to. For this reason, the security of nuclear materials and process is independently regulated by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security, and kept under constant scrutiny.
	The transportation of spent nuclear fuel is carried out in a secure manner, in accordance with stringent security regulations—the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (NISR). These regulations are administered and enforced by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS).
	The security of the transportation of civil nuclear material is regularly reviewed in light of the prevailing threat. OCNS is satisfied that the measures in place to prevent theft or sabotage are adequately robust, and that in the event that a credible threat were detected, appropriate action would be taken.

Overseas Trade

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on UK trade relations with  (a) Brazil,  (b) Colombia and  (c) Bolivia.

Ian McCartney: The information is as follows:
	 Brazil
	Brazil is the UK's largest trading partner in Latin America. In 2005 UK exports to Brazil were valued at £840 million, a 6 per cent. increase over 2004. This growth has continued in the first four months of 2006 with a further 12 per cent. increase.
	UK Trade and Investment has recognised in its recently published strategy, 'Prosperity in a Changing World', the importance of enhancing the UK's trade and economic relationships with emerging markets such as Brazil. This was given practical effect when the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry recently visited Brazil and chaired with his Brazilian counterpart the first meeting of the UK Brazil Joint Economic and Trade Committee.
	The Trade and Industry Select Committee is currently examining the difficulties and opportunities for UK businesses looking to trade or forge investment links with Brazil. The Committee is expected to report its findings in the first half of 2007.
	 Colombia
	Colombia is the UK's fifth largest market in South America. The UK's share of the Colombian market is currently around 1 per cent., with exports of goods and services in 2005 valued at £192 million. The UK's main exports are specialised industrial machinery, power generating machinery and equipment and beverages.
	The UK is one of the largest foreign investors with investments in excess of $10 billion. UK companies are particularly active in oil and gas, mining, pharmaceuticals and insurance.
	 Bolivia
	Bi-lateral trade is small. UK exports in 2005 were worth £11.2 million (goods only). The main export items were general industrial machinery, equipment and machine parts and organic chemicals. Several large UK companies operate in Bolivia, particularly in the hydrocarbons sector. UK direct investment in Bolivia is about $800m.

Car Tax

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue has been generated by the premium rate phone line used for the renewal of car tax since its introduction.

Stephen Ladyman: The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVLA) first introduced its Electronic Vehicle Licensing in February 2004, and this service was nationally launched in January 2006. The following provides a break down of revenue generated by the premium rate line used for the renewal of car tax since its introduction:
	
		
			   Total (£) 
			 February 2004-March 2004 57.38 
			 April 2004-March 2005 33,275.00 
			 April 2005-March 2006 151,340.10 
			 April 2006-August 2006 167,668.60

Disability Equality

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he has made an assessment of which policy areas will be considered in his report on progress towards disability equality within the Department's policy sector which is due to be published in December 2008;
	(2)  what information gathering and other actions his Department and other relevant bodies are taking to inform the public on the production of the report on progress towards disability equality within his Department's policy sector;
	(3)  what methods are used to involve disabled people in the production of his Department's disability equality scheme;
	(4)  when and how he plans to publish the disability equality scheme for his Department; and in what formats.

Gillian Merron: The information gathered to review the effectiveness of the Department's disability equality action plan will help identify progress and determine policies which the Secretary of State will include in his tri-annual report in 2008.
	The public will be informed of the production of the report on progress towards disability equality within the transport sector via the development of a disability panel, involvement of those engaged in the development of the scheme, and its own communications strategy.
	We have always recognised the importance of involving disabled people who might be affected by our policies in their formulation. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), as our statutory advisers on the public passenger transport needs of disabled people, have proved an invaluable resource during policy development. In producing our disability equality scheme we have also worked in partnership with several national disability organisations and conducted a number of discussion groups covering a range of disabilities, topics and geographical areas.
	The Department for Transport will publish its disability equality scheme and action plan on or before 4 December. The scheme will be published on the departmental website and as a hard copy in 14 Ariel. Other formats of the publication will be made available, e.g. easy read, large print and audio.

Neurological Conditions

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people  (a) with and  (b) without neurological conditions were participating in work-related activities and work-based adult learning and job brokering programmes on the Pathways scheme in the last three years.

Jim Murphy: The information is in the following table:
	
		
			   Neurological condition  Non-Neurological condition  Medical condition unknown( 1)  Total 
			 Number of individuals starting Pathways to Work 3,660 114,500 79,080 197,230 
			  Of which participated in: 
			 Work-related activities 20 310 260 590 
			 Work-based adult learning 10 410 210 640 
			 Job brokering programmes 320 9,150 2,970 12,430 
			 (1) Job brokering programmes: Data is for the number of people registering with a New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) Job Broker.   Notes: 1. The statistics quoted in this response are taken from the Pathways to Work Evaluation Database.  2. Figures are cumulative totals from the inception of Pathways in October 2003 to the end of February 2006.  3. All figures have been rounded to the nearest ten.  4. A neurological condition is a disorder of the central and/or peripheral nervous system. This can include disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles etc.  5. Work related activities: Data is for the number of individuals participating in WORKSTEP, Work Preparation and Work Trials. We do not have robust information on the number of individuals participating in Permitted Work.  6. Work-based adult learning: Data is for the number of individuals starting Work Based Learning for Adults.  7 Medical conditions may be unknown because: Not all Pathways participants claim IB (they may claim Income Support with a Disability Premium) and medical condition is only recorded for those claiming IB; or The National Benefits Database lags behind other Pathways to Work Evaluation Database sources by some three to four months. This means that the database does not contain information on the medical condition of customers starting Pathways in later months; or IB data from the NBD is based on a six-weekly snapshot, which means that some short-term IB claims of less than six weeks never appear on the database. This means that we do not have medical condition information for some customers who have claimed IB for less than six weeks. 8. The National Benefits Database only includes information on a customer's primary medical condition despite the fact that often people will have more than one medical condition.

Pensions

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of granting an additional £1,000 per annum to each pensioner.

James Purnell: The estimated figure for the number of persons above state pension age during the financial year 2006-07 for Great Britain is 11.3 million and paying each of them £1,000 will cost around £11.3 billion.
	 Note:
	The expenditure figure is in 2006-07 price terms and takes no account of changes
	in tax or entitlement to income related benefits.
	 Source:
	GAD 2004 population projections